The latest "visitors" are still being classified, however, they are closely related to the first wave calling themselves The Raggedy Family: http://www.therealmartha.com/RaggedyChewToy/index.htm

 

What in the world is a UKO? Critter toys that really are out of this world ... from a galaxy far, far away, on a planet called Knots of Fun, where critters rule! That would be the Furbulous Master of your home. UKOs come in peace to be chewed to pieces, all to satisfy the need to gnaw. UKOs are made mostly of braided fabric, comparable to twisted rope toys. Fabric and rubber tubing (original Chewapalooza material) combos are becoming the most popular choice. One warning, like rope, fabric unravels - most likely all over the house.   UKOs come in all kinds of wild shapes and sizes, none of which is predictable ... each tends to take on a life of its own.   Hmmm, Mom has given me this strange object. What might one do with such a thing? The most regal Miss Willie soon found out ~ pics of the whole family at play coming soon. Watch for link!  Prices start at $5 for itty bitty whatsits for itty bitty babies.  This model is about three inches long, not counting tug loop or tail. In stock, "Flower Power" is 8 inches tall with 7-inch arm span ... $9, suitable for small to medium pups and dogs. As with any toy, never leave children or animals unattended. Something like the blue glow guy at top of page (almost a foot tall including "headdress") is $11. The plaid, second pic from top, went for $12. "What I like most is the cloth part, rubber just isn't my thing. But Gracie? She loves the rubber part. So makes for a great game! She takes the rubber, I take the cloth and we go at it! And it stretches like crazy! Makes for more fun for us and saves Mom's arms - she likes that." ~ Johann, Web celeb, award winner and title holder Johann maintains his own site as well as publishing his own always enjoyable newsletter, little sister Gracie is a very clever contributing editor. Read past issues and sign up: http://johannthedog.com/Bark_At_Me.htm How do the talented twosome find the time? Their super schedules include agility, herding and blogging: http://johannthedog.com/The_Dog_Blog.htm  Dig around the links for great action pics, videos and more (even cool shopping!): http://www.johannthedog.com/   Just hangin' around or about to take flight, UKOs have many moods. The home team dearly loves yarn, shredding it that is. Messier the merrier is their credo. Cat versions usually have yarn involved, no problems reported. Ordering without is fine too. Serious tug time! And, as the saying goes ... pictures worth millions of words ... those expressions beat all. Courtesy of preeminent toy evaluators Bergamot Fury and Emrys the Nemesister: http://www.boston-terrier-challenge.com/gallery/gallery.html This is a UKO on steroids ... he's even developed an inordinate number of appendages. Sweats material (what else would it be?), with extra heavy tubing, $30. This one's headed for a Vegas chorus line, attitude and all (~.*) Took a million pics and still couldn't capture the "motion" I see. Funniest one yet, may not be able to let it go. $40 something could be persuasive. It's a big 'un ~ nearly 22 inches stretched full out, extra heavy denim fabric, an extreme number of extremely sturdy and varied knots.  This one could be up to anything ... also very sturdy, $25. More of a soft-touch here, still good 'n' tough/solid for many hours of dedicated chewing, $16. Mouse with wings? Who knows ... about mouse size anyway, $7.50 Miss Minnie's UKO has reached retie stage. All knots will eventually come undone, that's the fun. Tie 'em back up anywhichway for a whole new challenge. Once a dog lays claim to the material, any style and condition will do. The Princess Emma Lee is equally devoted to her raggedys ~ kinda like Linus and his security blanket. "My Bostons LOVE their UKO. Most of the material pieces have been merrily shredded, but the tubing remains. I had family in this weekend and the Bostons and their UKO provided much of the entertainment." ~ Tamara "Josie had no clue what to do with it at first, but now she has her very special spot for it and God help me if I move it. Thank you again, it is a great toy." ~ Mary J. This tickled me no end, from a friend who sent me a surprise, in turn, I sent toys: It’s been long enough for me to wait, and I must apologize for my four-legged darlings (two older dogs and one cat). I was hoping by now they would be playing with gusto, with the beautiful gifts that you sent to each of them. I wish to ask your forgiveness as they have only walked around them as if they were the largest snakes they have ever seen. Would you mind if I took them down to the humane society? It is a no-kill facility. I do not wish them to go to waste, and just lay here with no attention. I know there is a little puppy or another Cleocatra there that will really enjoy them. ~ WJ Of course I didn't mind, great idea! Could even be tax-deductible. Some beasties never will warm up. I have several reports of no-play, yet most of the time the toys end up as sleeping buddies ... go figure. The above past and present stock show only a sampling of materials and style. No two will ever be alike. You can select preferences (yarn/rubber tubing/rope/ribbon; denim/khaki/flannel/calico, etc. and colors) - I'll come as close as possible. Tell me about the recipient(s) and how much you want to spend and we'll go from there. Patting self on back, my recommendations have been working pretty well. Mid-range $20 will be a medium size, mostly fabric combo. Add another $5 or $10 and up for larger to huge and more rubber tubing (it's the costly part but you get more stretch and "snap"). Not necessarily any longer life ~ all depends on individual destruction habits. Still under testing, the heavy black tubing is holding up satisfactorily, even in the jaws of my hound who eats anything that doesn't eat him first. Incidentally, torn pieces and small knots do pass through harmlessly if your dog is a swallower. Most dogs have the sense to spit stuff out. Again, keep an eye on the initial encounter. Generally, UKOs are safe to leave out. In cases of obsession, keep any toy out of reach unless someone is around to watch. Ready for your questions: MarthaJones1@aol.com ~ please use Toy info as your subject line, I delete mystery mail. Gift certificates are easy and always correct! And adjustable to include postage. Prices on this page do not include postage or special handling (priority or insured mail). Lots of happy smiles (play pics) and more info: http://www.therealmartha.com/Chewapalooza/index.htm If you've already found a style you like, drop me a note including chew habits and size of dog(s): MarthaJones1@aol.com, subject line must be Toy info. I delete mystery mail. The below are long gone, just a few more samples and proof-positive that the men in little white coats will be coming to take me away, soon. Nevertheless, it's probably only aol operating at its customary reliability level if I don't answer mail right away (a day or three). Please try again. UKOs are made with love from recycled materials ~ sales benefit recycled critters. Get involved, several fund-raising options are available, including instruction for volunteer production. Really cool for kid organizations, great fun for any group. Characters directly above were all part of an auction package for "my" shelter. I'm happy to make gift certificate donations for nonprofits, amount determined by publicity value.